Poker is a treasured game globally, both for casual and professional players. Casual players do it for the thrill and occasional winnings, while professional players make a living out of it. Like all professional sports, there are amateurs, experts, and legends. This article will list the ten best players of all time ranked by their championships and earnings.
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The best poker players of all time
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Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey is regarded by many as the best all-around professional player, owing to his eleven World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, one World Poker Tour (WPT) title, and $45 million+ career earnings.
Ivey began his career by playing against co-workers in the late 1990s and morphed into the “Tiger Woods of Poker.” By 2017, he was elected into the Poker Hall of Fame. Ivey has won about every title that could be won.
2. Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu is a Canadian player who has obtained seven WSOP bracelets and two WPT championship titles. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014 and was widely considered the best player from 2000 to 2010.
$52 million and counting of career earnings makes Negreanu one of the most successful players in the world.
3. Justin Bonomo
American player Justin Bonomo is a regular face on the High Roller circuit. Career earnings of over $63 million make him one of the world’s leading professional players. He has three WSOP bracelets and endless wins in high-stakes events. Bonomo was the first player to surpass $60 million in live tournament earnings.
4. Erik Seidel
At 64 years old, Seidel is the oldest legendary player on this list. He has won ten WSOP bracelets and one WPT title and joined the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Seidel plays exceptionally well, both at a live game and a real online casino, such as Leetbit. He has over $46 million in live tournament earnings.
5. Jason Koon
Koon is a special breed in the poker world. Despite being virtually unknown a decade ago, he has climbed the ladder to become one of the most successful players. His $57 million+ in lifetime earnings make him a one-in-a-million player. Koon has one WSOP bracelet to his name.
6. Stephen Chidwick
Chidwick is an English player who topped the Global Poker Index for six months in 2018. His $59 million+ career earnings warrant his spot on this list. Chidwick stepped into the spotlight in 2008 and has been on a tear ever since. He has one WSOP bracelet to his name.
7. Dan Smit
Dan Smith began dabbling in poker at age 16 before turning professional after clocking 18 years old in 2007. His career blossomed in 2012 after winning a 2012 Aussie Millions Championship event. Smith has over $55 million in lifetime earnings and one WSOP bracelet.
8. David Peters
Peters is a regular fixture on the High Roller circuit. $45 million+ in career earnings make him one of the best live tournament players ever. Peters has won four WSOP bracelets, the first in 2016, the second in 2020, the third in 2021, and the fourth in 2022.
9. Fedor Holz
Holz is a German player focused on high-roller tournaments. He won his first WSOP bracelet in 2016 and the second in 2020. His career earnings of over $40 million make him the most successful German poker player of all time.
10. Bryn Kenney
This list isn’t complete without American player Bryn Kenney. Kenney began his career by playing Magic: The Gathering card games competitively before transitioning to poker and making a killing. Kenney has won one WSOP bracelet and has over $65 million in lifetime earnings, the highest of any professional poker player.
